Monthly Update - July 2019
NIH/CDC Contract Solicitation is now open
The NIH/CDC PHS 202-1 contract solicitation is now open with a submission deadline of October 23, 2019 5:00 pm EDT. This funding mechanism requires specific deliverables within a specified topic. Read the solicitation here to see a list of the Institutes and Centers that have issued research topics and a description of those topics. Be sure to register and attend the pre-proposal webinar presented by NIH/CDC on August 7 at 1 pm EDT. 

If you determine that your technology will fit the request, we strongly encourage you to apply. Be aware that this electronic application process is different than the NIH/CDC grant submission. There is a different website, eCPS (Electronic Contract Proposal Submission), and formatting and outlines are different. Additionally, there is a limited window to submit questions to the Contracting Officers which closes August 27. BBCetc can help you with contract submissions. Contact us using the assessment form and we will arrange a call to discuss your project and how we can help.
Dept. of Energy FY 2020 Phase I Release 1 SBIR/STTR Issued
Topics for DOE's FY 2020 SBIR/STTR Phase I Release 1 Funding Opportunity Announcement have been issued. Participating DOE program offices include:  
  • Office of Science (SC)
  • Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR)
  • Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
  • Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
  • Office of Nuclear Physics (NP) 
 
DOE has two webinars planned with Topic Mangers providing insights into their respective topics:
  • Webinar 1: SC, ASCR and BES Topics 1-24 Monday, July 22, 2019: Register
  • Webinar 2: BER and NP Topics 26 - 35 Tuesday, July 23, 2019: Register

If you can’t attend the live webinars, DOE will be record and post each one. DOE will be holding a webinar to discuss the FOA and application process on Friday, August 16, 2019. Important changes to the DOE SBIR and STTR programs for the coming year will also be addressed.  

Important Upcoming Dates 
FOA Issued: Aug. 12
LOI Due Date: Sept. 03
Non-responsive LOI Feedback: Sept. 24   
Due Date: Oct. 15
Award Notification Date: Jan. 06, 2020* 
Start of Grant Budget Period: Feb. 18, 2020* (*Dates Subject to Change)
DOs and DON'Ts of NSF Proposal Preparation and Submission
If you have received a positive response on your NSF Project Pitch, you are now in full proposal prep mode. With that in mind Jerry Hollister, our DOD guru, has prepared the following do’s and don’ts to help keep you in track. Remember, failure to comply with the guidelines means that a proposal may be returned without review. Don’t let that happen!

DO:
  • Include all required elements. Submit a proposal that is complete. Even if the FastLane system (NSF’s web-based system of proposal submissions and other information exchange) allows a proposal to be submitted without these items, all proposals must have each of the items listed in the Proposal Preparation and Submission section of the solicitation.
  • Provide a company commercialization history (if applicable). Submit a Company Commercialization History form (on the NSF template) if your company has received an SBIR/STTR Phase II award previously (from any agency). DO NOT modify the NSF Company Commercialization template to include additional narrative or information beyond what is required on the form.
  • If you want to be competitive, include three Letters of Market Validation. These will be attached in the Other Supplementary Documents section

DO NOT ... Read on
From NSF
New Submission Window Open Now
A new proposal submission window is now open until December 12. Small businesses that have received an invitation (via the Project Pitch) are now able to submit their full proposal at any time. A submission “window,” rather than a deadline, allows invited small businesses more flexibility in deciding when to submit a full proposal. Please note that the duration of the merit review process can vary between topic areas and that more details about the timeline will be provided as part of the Project Pitch Pilot process when a full proposal is invited.

 Project Pitch Pilot
Submit your three-page pitch and know within three weeks if you meet the program’s objectives to support innovative technologies that show promise of commercial and/or societal impact and involve technical risk. Visit the NSF Apply page to learn more about Project Pitch.

ISO SBIR Program Directors
NSF is searching for Program Directors for its Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. Check out the Dear Colleague Letter to learn more.
 
New Division Director
Dr. Andrea Belz is the new head of the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships, which houses the SBIR/STTR programs. Previously, Dr. Belz was vice dean for technology innovation and entrepreneurship in the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering.
QuizTime
There's been a lot of buzz recently NSF new approach to its SBIR/STTR programs starting with Project Pitch. Let's find out if you're up on the details (answers below):

1. In order to submit a full proposal to NSF, you need the following permission:
A. From the NSF Office of the Director
B. No permissions necessary
C. An approved Project Pitch that includes topic and pitch number and is uploaded in Fastlane
D. A phone call approval from the Project Director
E. Recommendation letter from your local PTAC and/or SBDC that is uploaded in Fastlane

2. Which of the following is true of the Project Pitch: (check all that apply)
A. Has 4 sections that are all required to be completed
B. Is the first required step toward submitting a Full Proposal
C. Is optional but is highly recommended
D. Allows photos/figures/websites to be included
E. You can submit multiple Project Pitches within a Submission Window

3. Once you submit your Project Pitch, when can you expect to hear from NSF?
A. By close of business the next day
B. Within 5 business days
C. Within 3 weeks
D. Within the respective Submission Window

4. What is the maximum number of words allowed in the Company/Team section?
A. 600 
B. 500
C. 400
D. 250
Solicitations
HHS-NIH/CDC/FDA Omnibus
Clinical Trials not allowed:
PA-19-272 PHS 2019-02 SBIR-NIH, CDC, FDA
PA-19-270 PHS 2019-02 STTR-NIH
Clinical Trials required:
PA-19-273 PHS 2019-02 SBIR-NIH
PA-19-271 PHS 2019-02 STTR-NIH
Standard close dates: Jan. 5 Apr. 5, Sept. 5

National Science Foundation
Submission windows:
4-Mar '19 - 13-Jun '19
14-Jun '19 - 12-Dec '19

Environmental Protection Agency
Closes Jul. 31

Dept. of Energy
FY 2020 Phase I Release 1 SBIR/STTR
LOI due Sep 3; non-responsive LOI Feedback Sep 24; closes Oct 15
Watch It
From the BBCetc Pursuit Recorded Webinar Library: " Accelerating Research to Commercialization: How to Leverage the NIH NCATS Technology Transfer Funding & Resources" - Featuring Portilla, Lili, MPA
Office of Strategic Alliances, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH


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About BBCetc
BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting manages Michigan's SBIR/STTR Assistance Program, which provides training and proposal development services to MI tech companies with most costs covered by the program. 

Contact us:   www.bbcetc.com / 734.930.9741 / info@bbcetc.com
QuizTime Answers: 1: C; 2: A, B and D; 3: C; 4: D